AirPods ($159) are the best-selling true wireless earbuds in the world. Don’t expect that to change now that the second-generation models are here. The new AirPods, which are still just called “AirPods” and have taken the place of the original AirPods in all Apple stores, are more powerful, cost the same and look identical to their predecessors. The only aesthetic difference has to do with the optional Qi-wireless charging case, which has a LED light in its center to indicate battery life.

Aside from the new wireless charging case, all the upgrades with the new AirPods are internal. They are powered by Apple’s H1 chip, which supports Bluetooth 5.0 instead of the older Bluetooth 4.2, and improves the all-around performance of the new AirPods. They have improved microphones, 50 percent more talk time and they can switch faster between other Apple devices. Wearers can also summon Siri with a voice command, as opposed to double-tapping one of the earbuds. As far as sound quality, Apple says nothing has been changed.
 

The Good: Apple didn’t try to reinvent the wheel with its second-generation AirPods. If you liked the fit, feel and sound of the original AirPods, you’ll like these new ones. You can get the new AirPods for the same exact price ($159) as the originals, but Apple now offers more buying options: you can purchase AirPods with a wireless charging case for $200 or, if you already own AirPods (first- or second-generation), you can buy a wireless charging case on its own for $79.

Apple’s AirPods have always been known for being great for phone calls and the new models are even better. Not that you’re likely to notice, however, as the improved microphones are designed to make your voice sound clearer, benefiting the people you’re on the phone with, not the other way around. The hands-free “Hey Siri” support is a nice upgrade for those who don’t want to double-tap their AirPods anymore.

Who It’s For: The new AirPods feel like a lifestyle upgrade as much as anything else. If you use a Qi-wireless charging pad with your iPhone every day, at work or at home, getting AirPods with a wireless charging case feels like a no-brainer. Just like with the previous AirPods, the new models are designed to live inside Apple’s ecosystem; they only make sense to get if you have an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.
 

Watch Out For: The new AirPods sound a lot like the old ones. If anything, they might be a little louder. But Apple says the new AirPods have the same exact drivers and audio quality as the originals — so that kind of settles the debate.

The wireless charging case works well but it won’t fast charge your AirPods. If you’re looking to get a quick refill, you’re going to want to find the nearest Lightning cable. The new AirPods still have the same issues as before: they’re not sweat-resistant or noise-canceling, and they don’t come in any colors others than white. If the older AirPods don’t fit in your earbuds, these won’t either.

Alternatives: Apple offers a decent amount of buying options for AirPods, which is nice. You can buy the new AirPods with or without a wireless charging case, or you can buy just the wireless charging case and it’ll work with the original AirPods.

As far as true alternatives, Beats and Apple just released the Powerbeats Pro ($250), which are essentially sweat-proof AirPods. The Sennheiser Momentum TW or the Master & Dynamic MW07 are both great options that sound better but cost more.
Verdict: The new AirPods are still the best all-around true wireless earbuds for iPhone users — by a lot. Like the first-generation AirPods, they’re super easy to pair with any iOS devices, and they’re arguably the most compact and travel-friendly of all true wireless earbuds. The improvements — better processor, battery life and connectivity, as well as wireless charging — are all nice features, but in the end, they don’t feel like night-and-day upgrades over the first-generation AirPods. If you already have the AirPods, the new models hardly feel necessary, especially if you can buy the wireless charging case separately. But if you’ve lost or broke your AirPods, or you just never got around to buying the first ones, you’ll be more than content with second-generation AirPods.